Peppermint Shrimp Spawn (Lysmata boggessi)

[DeneBanger]

Day 23...............both still holding.............

[DeneBanger]

Here is another very interesting occurrence.....today, while feeding the adult broodstock I noticed an empty carapace, the adults have undergone a full molt while holding the eggs at day 23 and it has not effected the eggs at all. I didn't know that this was possible.
So while we are waiting on this ever so slow larvae to make their grand appearance, let me mention something about feeding time. At feeding time I simply slice off a sliver of my frozen seafood goo and stick it to the end of my finger, each PS comes up to the surface in turn hangs on to my finger then takes off to the bottom of the tank again with a nice little clump of food. It has gotten to the point that they only have to see me coming and up they come!

[asylumdown]

Is the 10-14 day hatch period widely described elsewhere? If that's how long it's supposed to go, it's nuts that they haven't hatched yet. I'm imagining my sister 9 months overdue...

[DeneBanger]

Originally Posted by asylumdown

Is the 10-14 day hatch period widely described elsewhere? If that's how long it's supposed to go, it's nuts that they haven't hatched yet. I'm imagining my sister 9 months overdue...

From what I understand yes....the 10-14 day hatch period seems to be what is the norm, but here I am at DAY 23 (and yes it is like your sister being 9-months overdue). Another thing some of the breeders are saying that it is not possible for the shrimp to molt and still be carrying the eggs......yet I have this situation, the carapace and the shrimp ready to release.

She is HUGE and waddles with a sideways canter dragging her abdomen along the bottom.

[DeneBanger]

Here is a pic of the left over carapace from the molt that occurred at day 23 while the PS was still holding the eggs (this one has been holding eggs now for 23 days). Please note the reflectivity of the eggs which is caused by the formation of the eyes of the larvae and please note the formation of a new batch of eggs behind the head.

http://www.marinebreeder.org/phpbb/v...t=9474&p=83722

[Magma]

seems to be really close to the head to be eggs, I thought shrimp carried the eggs closer to there tail, also doesnt mating happen after a fresh molt?

[DeneBanger]

Originally Posted by Magma

seems to be really close to the head to be eggs, I thought shrimp carried the eggs closer to there tail, also doesnt mating happen after a fresh molt?

When the eggs first develop they develop behind the head and then are transfered down to the abdomen (more specifically to the swimmerets or pleopods) where they must be fertilized or else they will just drop off after a few days. In the pic of the PS you can see the eggs in the abdomen that are ready to be released, you can also see the new batch forming behind the head which will make their way down after the release. Yes you are correct that mating occurs after a fresh molt.